Courthouse Deputy

About the Role

This is an intermediate-level position within the Courthouse Deputy career field, responsible for providing security at designated Travis County facilities, including Courthouses, Commissioner’s Court, and the Combined Transportation, Emergency and Communications Center (CTECC). The role requires initiative and independent judgment to handle escalated situations and a flexible work schedule to meet departmental needs. This position does not offer promotional opportunities within the Courthouse Deputy career field.

Responsibilities

• Maintain safety and security of courthouse visitors, judges, judicial staff, court employees, jurors, and the general public, as well as those entering other assigned facilities.
• Provide security, enforce laws, maintain order, and arrest violators of State laws.
• Conduct screening of persons and properties entering designated facilities using x-ray machines and metal detectors.
• Take control of incident scenes to manage traffic flow, assist victims, and resolve incidents.
• Conduct foot or vehicle patrol in and around assigned facilities.
• Investigate complaints, make arrests, book offenders, and prepare reports, including documentation of evidence.
• Record daily activities and submit reports to the appropriate chain of command.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Must qualify with a weapon annually in accordance with Departmental Standards.
• Must meet Physical Readiness Testing requirements according to TCSO policy.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License.
• Peace Officer Certification in good standing with TCOLE.

Preferred Qualifications

• Paid experience as a Peace Officer in law enforcement or courthouse security.
• Intermediate or higher Peace Officer Certification.
• Jailer License (dual certification).
• Court Security Officer Certification (TCOLE #10999).
• TCOLE Court Security Specialist Certificate.
• Bilingual abilities.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of:
  • Laws, regulations, and procedures governing custody of persons.
  • Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Rules of Evidence, Family Code, Civil statutes, and Regulatory Agency Codes.
  • Federal, State, Local, and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines.
  • Local laws, ordinances, and TCOLE standards and procedures pertaining to the commitment, confinement, and release of prisoners.
  • Applicable county policies, including Travis County Civil Service Rules, Travis County Employee Handbook, and TCSO Policies and procedures.
• Skill in:
  • Interpersonal and public relations, judgment, decision-making, and critical thinking.
  • Understanding, interpreting, and applying court orders, relevant state statutes, and all other required policies and procedures.
  • Preparing official documents such as interoffice memorandums, affidavits, investigative reports, and case filing documents.
  • Maintaining a professional demeanor.
  • Using defensive tactics, including intermediate weapons and firearms.
  • Computer operations, vehicle operations, radio communications, scene management, and evidence control.
• Ability to:
  • Control emotions and focus on professional duties regardless of provocations or stress.
  • Apply active listening and communicate clearly and calmly in all circumstances.
  • Create accurate, clear, and grammatically correct documents.
  • Work with diverse populations to serve the public interest.
  • Seek continuous performance improvement and increase knowledge and skills.
  • Foster positive working relationships with team members.
  • Take appropriate action to accomplish duties and accept responsibility for outcomes.
  • Use physical force, including deadly force, when necessary to prevent imminent threats.
  • Respond to unexpected situations reasonably and maintain physical endurance and agility.

Work Environment

• Physical requirements include lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech, hearing, hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity for operating computers and office equipment.
• Subject to standing, walking, jogging, running, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, and balancing.
• Subject to stressful environments, exposure to excessive heat and cold, and extended client/customer contact.
• Exposure to communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter, and foul odors.
• Job may involve danger due to contact with criminals and suspects.
• Must be able to lift and wear a 40lb Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for emergencies and partially lift/drag an average weight person of 150lbs for 75 feet.
• Must be able to physically restrain hostile and combative subjects and participate in defensive tactics training.
• Must be able to work any shift, extended hours, and respond to emergencies with little or no notice.
• Must communicate in clear English during emergencies.

Special ADA Physical Requirements

• Vision: Must have sufficient vision without glasses to defend self and others. Dual vision is required. Vision must be correctable to 20/20 or better with uncorrected vision of 20/200 or better. Corrected visual acuity should be at least 20/20 (both eyes) and 20/40 (each eye). Applicants who have completed refractive surgery must provide a Corrected Vision Surgical Form from the operating physician.
• Hearing: Must have normal hearing in both ears. Hearing sensitivity thresholds must be within 25 dB measured at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 3000 Hz averaged together. If hearing is not normal, a medical specialist evaluation is required.
• Seizure Disorder: Uncontrolled seizures of any kind are disqualifying. Applicants with a history of seizures must control the disorder by medication, be seizure-free for one year, and sign a Notification, Understanding, and Commitment.

Pay

Starting salary: $66,740.12/year.

• 5+ years of experience with Intermediate Peace Officer certification or higher: $70,804.59/year.
• 10+ years of experience with Advanced Peace Officer certification or higher: $75,116.59/year.

Benefits

• Highly rated retirement plan.
• Vacation and sick leave.
• 3 personal holidays and 12 company holidays.
• Longevity pay.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Free employee healthcare clinic.

Schedule

• Days, some evenings, some nights, some weekends, and some holidays.
• Work hours dependent on assignment and may change with little or no notice.

Location: Austin, TX. Department: Travis County Sheriff's Office.

TCOLE, Physical Exam, Drug Test, Alcohol Test, and Psychological Exams required. Criminal, Credit, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks required.

If selected for hire, you must own your own firearm and duty belt. A list of approved firearms will be provided prior to testing.